Glacier Skills & Crevasse Rescue

This 2 day comprehensive course focuses on technical skills for glacier travel and crevasse rescue. Strong emphasis is placed on modern techniques; the same methods used by professional guides in glaciated venues such as the North Cascades, Mt Rainier, and Alaska.

Along the way we’ll dispel various myths and answer common questions including: How far apart should climbers be spaced on the rope? Do we need to carry pulleys or ascenders? Should we pre-tie prussiks on the rope? How common are crevasse falls?

In the afternoon we hike to a training location and focus on snow anchor construction, multi-point anchor equalization, and crevasse rescue, including 2:1 and 3:1 (“Z-pulley”) surface hauling systems.

DAY 2 – Fixed Rope Ascension, Drop-loop Hauling Systems

Again we meet at 8:00am at the Olympic National Park Visitor’s Center, this time beginning the day with fixed rope ascension using basic equipment. Around mid-morning we head up to Hurricane Ridge, gear up, and hike into our training location.

Crevasse rescue systems are the focus of the remainder of the day as we elaborate on techniques introduced on the previous afternoon. More advanced techniques are introduced include self-tending ratchets, and drop loop hauling systems (“C-pully” systems) up to 6:1 mechanical advantage.

Participants will get to experience all three roles in crevasse rescue scenarios: holding the fall, building the system, and being the victim.

The course wraps up at the end of the day with a debrief and presentation of certificates. Expect two big days of learning!

GLACIER SKILLS & CREVASSE RESCUE

Need rental gear? Items with the RENTlink are available through us. Information on where to rent other gear (such as mountaineering boots) is available on our Rental Gear page.